City of Newcastle is seeking support from State and Federal Governments for a dedicated Local Infrastructure Stimulus program, with funding for both large-scale infrastructure projects and a Local Government New Deal aimed at protecting jobs and delivering community infrastructure.
The move would bridge the gap between State and Federal Government COVID-19 stimulus packages and increase local employment by fast-tracking shovel-ready infrastructure projects.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said in times of crisis, local government was often the first to respond and rebuild at a grassroots level.
“As one of the single-largest employers in rural and regional communities, Councils like City of Newcastle are best placed to kickstart shovel-ready projects and get people back into the workforce,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Such a move, when supported by State and Federal stimulus, has the power to create legacy community infrastructure, sustain local services and employment and drive the local economy, as was the case during the early 1990s recession when the Federal Government formed the Local Government Capital Works Program.”
Priority projects previously endorsed by the NSW Government as key to significant job growth across Greater Newcastle include Coastal Management Planning and Erosion Management, particularly at Stockton Beach; flood mitigation works at Wallsend; the Greater Newcastle Light Rail Expansion; and affordable housing initiatives.
With a diverse workforce of more than 1,200 staff, City of Newcastle has been significantly impacted by Government-mandated closures and restrictions aimed at containing the spread of COVID-19 – particularly community and cultural facilities such as Newcastle Museum, City Gall, the Civic Theatre, the Stockton Holiday Park and Newcastle Art Gallery.
Ineligible to receive the $1,500-per-employee, per-fortnight JobKeeper subsidy, the City has opted-in to the Local Government (COVID-19) Splinter (Interim) Award, backed by the Office of Local Government NSW and United Services Union, to identify opportunities to retain and redeploy affected staff.
The Lord Mayor thanked staff for their commitment to serving the Newcastle community despite the disruption to day-to-day life.
“Staff have been exceptional in their effort to continue to deliver a high level of service for our community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Now more than ever, it is vital that the State and Federal Governments partner with local government to support shovel-ready projects that can grow our economy and support our workforce.”
Category: Newcastle News
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Stockton Community Liaison Group welcomes latest briefing on long-term coastal planning
The Stockton Community Liaison Group has responded positively overall to a final briefing on the long-term plan for managing the suburb’s coastline prior to it going to councillors for endorsement on Tuesday.
City of Newcastle will be one of the first councils in the State to submit a Coastal Management Program (CMP) when it lodges the plan for Stockton by the end of June, meeting a shortened deadline of 18 months set by the Local Government Minister.
Stockton Community Liaison Group Chair Barbara Whitcher said after years of very robust engagement with City of Newcastle and lead agencies like the Department of Planning Industry and Environment, it appeared a positive way forward could be set through Stockton’s CMP.
“The Stockton Community Liaison Group has been meeting regularly with City of Newcastle for more than two years, advocating for our community’s interests through what is complex issue of managing ongoing coastal erosion,” Ms Whitcher said.
“Yesterday our Liaison Group was given an overarching brief on the draft Stockton CMP and overall we are pleased and relieved that sand nourishment is at the centre of the plan for both amenity and asset protection in line with our constant feedback.”
“The draft CMP will be put on public exhibition next week and we will be encouraging everyone to have their say before it is submitted to the NSW Government for approval.”
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the Stockton Community Liaison Group had played a pivotal role in shaping the CMP.
“Thank you to the Stockton Community Liaison Group for your dedication, leadership and advocacy in developing a long-term solution for Stockton that returns sand to the beach for both amenity and asset protection,” the Lord Mayor said.
“The collaboration between City of Newcastle staff, the NSW Government and community has been key to the development of the draft CMP, which has sand nourishment as the cornerstone of our long-term solution to coastal erosion.
“I want to acknowledge commitment and genuine cooperative approach that been achieved by our shared passion and dedication to achieving a positive future for Stockton.”
Formed by the Lord Mayor in February 2018, the Stockton Community Liaison Group includes local community leaders who advocate for a positive long-term solution to erosion at Stockton Beach with the City of Newcastle, NSW Government representatives and Hunter Water Corporation.
Yesterday marked the 21st formal meeting of the group as they continue to advise the City on the development of the CMP for Stockton.
City of Newcastle will be one of the first councils in the State to submit a Coastal Management Program (CMP) when it lodges the plan for Stockton by the end of June, meeting a shortened deadline of 18 months set by the Local Government Minister.
Stockton Community Liaison Group Chair Barbara Whitcher said after years of very robust engagement with City of Newcastle and lead agencies like the Department of Planning Industry and Environment, it appeared a positive way forward could be set through Stockton’s CMP.
“The Stockton Community Liaison Group has been meeting regularly with City of Newcastle for more than two years, advocating for our community’s interests through what is complex issue of managing ongoing coastal erosion,” Ms Whitcher said.
“Yesterday our Liaison Group was given an overarching brief on the draft Stockton CMP and overall we are pleased and relieved that sand nourishment is at the centre of the plan for both amenity and asset protection in line with our constant feedback.”
“The draft CMP will be put on public exhibition next week and we will be encouraging everyone to have their say before it is submitted to the NSW Government for approval.”
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the Stockton Community Liaison Group had played a pivotal role in shaping the CMP.
“Thank you to the Stockton Community Liaison Group for your dedication, leadership and advocacy in developing a long-term solution for Stockton that returns sand to the beach for both amenity and asset protection,” the Lord Mayor said.
“The collaboration between City of Newcastle staff, the NSW Government and community has been key to the development of the draft CMP, which has sand nourishment as the cornerstone of our long-term solution to coastal erosion.
“I want to acknowledge commitment and genuine cooperative approach that been achieved by our shared passion and dedication to achieving a positive future for Stockton.”
Formed by the Lord Mayor in February 2018, the Stockton Community Liaison Group includes local community leaders who advocate for a positive long-term solution to erosion at Stockton Beach with the City of Newcastle, NSW Government representatives and Hunter Water Corporation.
Yesterday marked the 21st formal meeting of the group as they continue to advise the City on the development of the CMP for Stockton.
LOCAL NDIS STAFF CUTS TO HIT HARD
Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon has slammed the Morrison Government for awarding a contract that will see tens of NDIS jobs slashed from the region.
Ms Claydon said 29 Local Area Coordinator roles, including 16 designated Aboriginal positions, are likely to disappear when Uniting takes over the Hunter New England NDIS contract from St Vincent de Paul on 1 July.
“It’s unfathomable that the Morrison Government would enter into a tendering process that would see the loss of so many important jobs and the end of a highly successful and innovative indigenous program,” Ms Claydon said.
“To lose these vital frontline roles at any time is outrageous, but for the Morrison Government to support this in the middle of a pandemic – when people with disability are already facing increased levels of anxiety and unemployment rates are skyrocketing – is utterly unforgivable.
“The NDIS is already in the top three Federal agencies that people complain to me about in Newcastle. This is just going to make a service that is already severely under-resourced even worse.”
Ms Claydon said the loss of dedicated Aboriginal positions would be particularly damaging.
“For the last four years, St Vincent de Paul has been delivering a landmark program to deliver dedicated, intensive and culturally-informed support for Aboriginal people with disability and their communities.
“We’ve seen their great work with Aboriginal communities to help overcome a deep, historical distrust of government and agencies. And we’ve seen a significant and sustained increase in Aboriginal participants as a result. I’m very worried that the loss of key Aboriginal-identified positions will put all of this hard work at risk.”
Ms Claydon said attempts to discuss her concerns with Uniting have been frustrated by the NDIA.
“I’ve reached out to talk directly with the Executive Director of Uniting about my concerns, but the government has effectively gagged the organisation from talking with me, insisting that the NDIA plays the role of gatekeeper instead,” Ms Claydon said.
“Almost every day I meet with organisations about services and issues affecting our community – indeed it’s one of my most fundamental responsibilities. For a Government agency to insert itself and try to dictate the terms and conditions of my private conversations is unprecedented in my experience – and deeply concerning.”
Ms Claydon said 29 Local Area Coordinator roles, including 16 designated Aboriginal positions, are likely to disappear when Uniting takes over the Hunter New England NDIS contract from St Vincent de Paul on 1 July.
“It’s unfathomable that the Morrison Government would enter into a tendering process that would see the loss of so many important jobs and the end of a highly successful and innovative indigenous program,” Ms Claydon said.
“To lose these vital frontline roles at any time is outrageous, but for the Morrison Government to support this in the middle of a pandemic – when people with disability are already facing increased levels of anxiety and unemployment rates are skyrocketing – is utterly unforgivable.
“The NDIS is already in the top three Federal agencies that people complain to me about in Newcastle. This is just going to make a service that is already severely under-resourced even worse.”
Ms Claydon said the loss of dedicated Aboriginal positions would be particularly damaging.
“For the last four years, St Vincent de Paul has been delivering a landmark program to deliver dedicated, intensive and culturally-informed support for Aboriginal people with disability and their communities.
“We’ve seen their great work with Aboriginal communities to help overcome a deep, historical distrust of government and agencies. And we’ve seen a significant and sustained increase in Aboriginal participants as a result. I’m very worried that the loss of key Aboriginal-identified positions will put all of this hard work at risk.”
Ms Claydon said attempts to discuss her concerns with Uniting have been frustrated by the NDIA.
“I’ve reached out to talk directly with the Executive Director of Uniting about my concerns, but the government has effectively gagged the organisation from talking with me, insisting that the NDIA plays the role of gatekeeper instead,” Ms Claydon said.
“Almost every day I meet with organisations about services and issues affecting our community – indeed it’s one of my most fundamental responsibilities. For a Government agency to insert itself and try to dictate the terms and conditions of my private conversations is unprecedented in my experience – and deeply concerning.”
Evening Hunter operation sees eight people charged
Eight people have been charged following a high-visibility operation across the Hunter this week.
Operation Northern Engage is a proactive operation aimed to target repeat offenders and increasing crime trends across the southern zone of the Northern Region.
The operation was conducted in Cessnock and Singleton on Wednesday 6 May between 3pm and 11pm, then across Lake Macquarie yesterday (Thursday 7 May 2020) between 3pm and 11pm.
Officers from the respective police districts (Hunter Valley and Lake Macquarie) were supported by 25 officers from the Northern Region – including the High-Risk Domestic Violence Offender Team, the High-Visibility Police Unit, the Police Dog Unit, the Hunter Region Enforcement Squad, Operation Utah officers and operational staff.
Some of the arrests as part of the two-night operation included:
- A 28-year-old unlicensed woman was subjected to a roadside drug test which returned a positive result. She was taken to Cessnock Police Station to conduct a secondary test.
- A 17-year-old girl and 20-year-old man were stopped by police in Speers Point where police allegedly located methylamphetamine inside their vehicle. It’s further alleged the teenage girl was unlicensed. The man was issued an infringement notice for driving offences while the teenage girl was issued with a youth caution.
- A 33-year-old man was arrested in relation to contravene AVO, assault (DV) and drive vehicle whilst disqualified. He will face Cessnock Court next month.
- A 29-year-old man was charged with supply and possess prohibited drug. He will face Maitland Local Court in July
- A 17-year-old man was found in possession of an amount of cannabis, MDMA and a knife in Heddon Greta. He will be dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.
Northern Region Operations Manager, Detective Superintendent Wayne Humphrey APM, said high-visibility policing continues to remind the community we are on the streets to protect them.
“Policing has certainly looked different in the past few months, but officers across the Hunter have continued their daily duties – targeting repeat offenders and keeping crime rates down.
“This operation is just another example of how we can continue to utilise our resources in innovative and productive ways,” Det Supt Humphrey said.
Similar operations will continue to be rolled out across the Northern region.
Homeless man robbed and assaulted near Cessnock
Police are appealing for public assistance after a homeless man was assaulted and robbed in the Hunter region.
Shortly after 5am yesterday (Wednesday 6 May 2020), police have been told a 45-year-old man was asleep in a tent along the Elcom Fire Trail, off Old Maitland Road near Cessnock, when he was awoken by the sound of a motorbike.
He unzipped his tent when two unknown men demanded his vehicle and keys.
When the 45-year-old refused, the pair assaulted him several times with a baseball bat.
The homeless man fled his tent while the pair took his wallet and car keys, before fleeing in the man’s white Mitsubishi Pajero – with NSW registration plates AIB 56K.
He returned to his campsite and contacted police.
He was taken to Cessnock Hospital for treatment to injuries to his back and shoulder.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District have commenced an investigation into the incident.
As part of their inquiries, officers wish to speak with two men who may be able to assist with their investigation.
The men have both been described as being of Caucasian appearance, aged in their 30s, and were last seen wearing dark clothing, with their faces covered by motorbike helmets.
Police are urging anyone who may have dashcam footage from Old Maitland Road in the early hours of Wednesday morning, or who may have seen a white 2000 Mitsubishi Pajero with NSW registration plates AIB 56K, to contact Cessnock Police on 4991 0199 or to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.
Celebrated senior artist Tom Gleghorn OAM homeward bound to Newcastle Art Gallery
In 1959 Tom Gleghorn held his inaugural solo exhibition at Newcastle Art Gallery. Sixty-one years later, he is homeward bound.
Newcastle Art Gallery is staging the first major survey of work by Tom Gleghorn OAM, regarded as one of Australia’s finest and influential abstract expressionists.
HOMEWARD BOUND: the art and life of Tom Gleghorn will feature paintings and drawings from Newcastle’s collection, including the new major acquisition Landscape Altar – MacDonnell Ranges 1986, as well as works of art on loan from private and public collections.
Drawn from across the artist’s extraordinary career of more than 70 years, the exhibition will also feature a new documentary created by journalist and author Scott Bevan specially for the exhibition.
“We are deeply honoured to be staging the first major survey of Gleghorn’s work,” Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton said.
“His ability to evoke a strong sense of immersion within his compositions, his connection to the Australian landscape, as well as his mastery of colour and form, is strongly represented within this exhibition.
“As a highly respected senior artist, Gleghorn has influenced the Australian artistic community through not only his own practice, but his commitment to education. This survey is long overdue.”
Now aged in his mid-nineties, Gleghorn has maintained a sense of kinship with Newcastle and Lake Macquarie throughout his life.
Born in England in 1925, he migrated to Australia with his family at the age of two. He was a student of renowned artist William Dobell and grew to be a contemporary of artists such as John Coburn and Robert Dickerson.
Due to current restrictions, the exhibition will launch online on Saturday 9 May at 12 noon via Newcastle Art Gallery’s social media and website.
“Despite the difficult circumstances, the Gallery team has worked hard to continue to stage the exhibition,” Morton said. “We’ve developed several exciting ways in which our audience will be able to engage with the exhibition while our doors are temporarily closed.”
KEY EXHIBITION DATES
Saturday 9 May, 12 noon – Virtual tour launch of HOMEWARD BOUND: the art and life of Tom Gleghorn via Newcastle Art Gallery website and social media
Man charged following public place shooting – Raymond Terrace
A man has been charged following investigations into a public place shooting at Raymond Terrace last week.
About 11am on Saturday 2 May 2020, the occupants of a home on Benjamin Lee Drive, Raymond Terrace, located a .22 calibre bullet has penetrated the front door and lodged in an internal wall.
Police were called and an investigation was commenced.
About 10am today (Tuesday 5 May 2020), police from Port Stephens-Hunter PD searched a Mazda 323 in Dungog where they allegedly located a .22 calibre casing in the footwell.
The vehicle was seized and taken for further forensic examination.
About 4.10pm officers attended a home in Raymond Terrace where they arrested a 19-year-old man. He was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station where he was questioned.
Police will allege they found a firearm during a search of the man’s home.
He was then charged with fire firearm at dwelling house with disregard for public safety, and possess unauthorised firearm.
He was given conditional bail and will appear in Raymond Terrace Local Court on Monday 3 August 2020.
City Taskforce Update 1 May 2020
MEETING OF THE CITY TASKFORCE
The City Taskforce, led by City of Newcastle and chaired by Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, held its second meeting on 1 May via Zoom. The Taskforce was formed to develop a collaborative approach to the City’s response to COVID-19, from crisis to recovery and beyond. The Taskforce focused its discussion on work streams and resourcing to implement priority programs and initiatives aimed at getting the City back up and running and supporting the community’s most vulnerable.
City Taskforce work streams identified
Staff from each of the 17 organisations attended a digital workshop on 24 April following the inaugural City Taskforce meeting on 17 April. Priorities identified in the City‘s COVID-19 response included implementing programs that enable people, businesses and events to return to normal; transformative economic programs providing long-term strategic benefits; community resilience and social connection; as well as initiatives to address common issues faced across industries.
As a result, the following work streams were proposed to, and unanimously supported by, the Taskforce:
- An industry-specific response program;
- Infrastructure advocacy program;
- City data and analytics program;
- NewSkill citywide upskilling program; and
- A collaboration forum.
Additional concepts raised and backed by the Taskforce were a local insights and impacts platform; buy local program; a skills training and talent strategy; and a re-emergence program focused on events and activities and how these might take shape post-COVID-19.
Collegiate efforts to seek Government support for regional priorities
As well as being a mechanism for collaboration and sharing local insights, a major role of the Taskforce is to advocate for infrastructure priorities in the Greater Newcastle Metropolitan Area, such as the diversification of the Port of Newcastle and the Newcastle Airport Expansion, which is critical to both the economic and social recovery of the City and region through job creation and increased visitor economy, noting job losses of 19,000 across the Hunter and a sharp decline in discretionary spending due to COVID-19 impacts.
The Taskforce resolved to support Newcastle Airport in lobbying the Federal Government for project funding as a joint signatory on correspondence.
Similar support was sought and agreed upon to assist international students of the University of Newcastle, both current and future. The Taskforce will co-sign a letter to the NSW Government, calling for humanitarian aid for those international students who have lost employment and do not qualify for support payments, whilst they are also unable to receive financial assistance from their families abroad as they too are impacted.
Building community resilience during the COVID-19 recovery phase
Leaders proposed the Taskforce could offer itself and the region as a pilot for relevant Family & Community Services programs focused on building community resilience, which is important in managing wellbeing as many navigate complex situations they have suddenly found themselves in.
This dovetails with the Lean In Newy initiative, which City of Newcastle is developing for launch in May. The smartphone app connects community organisations and not-for-profits in need of volunteers with those who want to do good, offering rewards and offers redeemable at local businesses. Opportunities are categorised by community service, neighbourhood help, social connections, and local business support.
Sharing the good news
Leaders recognised the Taskforce’s power as a united voice and determined to share case studies and good news stories of community resilience and connection with local media.
An opportunity was identified to involve the arts and cultural sector, which COVID-19 has left reeling, in those narratives, as well as engage with Indigenous communities to capture their shared experiences.
Find out more information about the City Taskforce
Police appeal for witnesses after passenger seriously injured on M1 crash
Police appealing for witnesses and dashcam vision following a serious crash on the M1 at Mooney Mooney where a female passenger was seriously injured yesterday.
About 9.40am yesterday (Monday 4 May 2020), a blue Volkswagon Golf was travelling south on the M1, when the driver lost control causing the car to rotate and collide with the rock wall.
The vehicle rotated a second time and collided again with the rock wall causing the front wheels and engine to separate from the car.
The 18-year-old male driver was able to free himself from the wreckage.
His 18-year-old female passenger remained trapped and was eventually released by emergency services.
She was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital with serious leg and abdominal injuries. The woman underwent surgery and remains in a serious condition.
A crime scene was established, and Crash Investigation Unit commenced inquiries. The vehicle was seized for forensic examination.
The driver, on a suspended provisional licence, was arrested and taken for mandatory blood and urine testing.
He was taken to Woy Woy Police Station and charged with dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm – drive manner dangerous, negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, drive whilst licence suspended and dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm – drive speed dangerous.
He was refused bail and is due to appear in Gosford Local Court today (Tuesday 5 May 2020).
GOVERNMENT MUST ACT ON UNANIMOUS REDRESS REPORT
A unanimous Parliamentary report on the National Redress Scheme for survivors of child sexual abuse has recommended significant changes including advance payments for vulnerable survivors.
Deputy Chair of the Joint Select Committee on Implementation of the National Redress Committee Sharon Claydon said that the Morrison Government, having failed to deliver on so many key aspects of the National Redress Scheme to date, was well and truly on-notice.
“It’s appalling that two years after the scheme started, less than 1,500 payments have been made, despite the Royal Commission finding that 60,000 people may be eligible,” Ms Claydon said.
“Most shamefully, we learnt through the inquiry that 22 people have died waiting for their claims to be processed.”
Ms Claydon said the report recommended that the Government consider advance payments for survivors who are especially vulnerable, so that they don’t miss out on redress.
“Forcing survivors to wait a day longer than they need to for redress payments just adds further injustice to the trauma they’ve already experienced,” Ms Claydon said.
“The Government should be looking at the example of other jurisdictions like Scotland, which is making advance payments available to all applicants aged 68 and over or with a terminal illness.”
Ms Claydon said the report also emphasised the need to penalise organisations that were named during the Royal Commission or have been identified in a redress application, but fail to sign-up to the scheme by the June 30 deadline.
“Almost 550 applications are on hold because 284 non-government institutions have failed to join the scheme two years on. This is absolutely unforgivable,” she said.
“The Morrison Government must consider every means at its disposal to ensure these organisations sign up, including removing their charitable status and /or any other sources of public funding and concessions they receive, as well as naming and shaming recalcitrant organisations.”
The Committee also recommended that a full list of organisations that have not signed by the deadline of 30 June 2020, and those that have declined to join the scheme, be published on the National Redress Scheme website, including the written statement provided by the institution which details all financial benefits accrued by means of their charitable status and/or any other sources of public funding or concessions they received.
It would be then up to the Minister to convene a meeting of all jurisdictions to determine and advise what action would be taken.
Ms Claydon urged the Morrison Government to act on the report as a matter of utmost urgency.
“The Government has been kicking the redress can down the road for too long. This must stop now. No more excuses.
“Survivors have been waiting all their lives for redress, they shouldn’t have to wait any longer.”